Several news sources featured in the Daily Digest may limit the number of articles you can access without a subscription. However, gift articles and open-access links are provided when available. For more open access California water news articles, explore the main page at MavensNotebook.com.
On the calendar today …
- MEETING: Delta Independent Science Board from 9am to 12:30pm. Agenda items include discussions of the food webs review, decision-making under deep uncertainty review, and subsidence review. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
- MEETING: SAFER Drinking Water Program: Advisory Group from 10am to 2pm. Agenda items include SAFER program goals, Draft Fund Expenditure Plan, Summary of Technical Assistance efforts, and SAFER program updates. Click here for the full meeting notice and remote access instructions.
In California water news today …
Wildfire risk rises as Western states dry out amid ongoing heat wave baking most of the US
“Authorities in Western states warned of the rising risk of wildfires as hot conditions and low humidity dry out the landscape amid a protracted heat wave that is expected to bake much of the U.S. again Thursday. California’s top fire official said Wednesday that so far this year the state has responded to more than 3,500 wildfires that have scorched nearly 325 square miles (842 square kilometers) of vegetation — five times the average burned through July 10 in each of the past five years.
“We are not just in a fire season, but we are in a fire year,” Joe Tyler, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said at a news conference. “Our winds and the recent heat wave have exacerbated the issue, consuming thousands of acres. So we need to be extra cautious.” … ” Read more from AP News.
Hot nights fuel wildfires in California, complicating containment
“Over the July 4 weekend, hundreds of fires sparked across California, feeding on the hot, dry conditions of an ongoing heat wave. But some of these fires were strange. They grew rapidly and expanded their territory at a time when fires, like people, traditionally rest: at night. Overnight hours, when temperatures tend to go down and relative humidity, or the amount of water vapor in the air, goes up, can act as a barrier to fire. Overnight, fires tend to creep along, giving firefighters a chance to sleep or manage smaller flames. But human-caused climate change has accelerated nighttime warming more quickly than daytime warming, dismantling this natural shield. “Night won’t save us,” said Kaiwei Luo, a doctoral student in environmental sciences at the University of Alberta and the lead author of a recent study in the journal Nature that found overnight burning can cause fires to burn larger and longer. “With climate change, we will see more and more overnight burning,” he said. … ” Read more from the New York Times (gift article).
SEE ALSO:
- Dangerous heat grips the US for another record-shattering summer, from Grist
- Is relentless California heat wave finally ending? Slight cooling on tap for weekend, from the LA Times
A bigger, older fish gasping for more water: White sturgeon slipping away
“Another fish native to the San Francisco Bay estuary may be joining the queue filing toward extinction. That’s the fear of a coalition of environmental groups that have petitioned the California Fish and Game Commission to list the white sturgeon, one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world, as a threatened species under California’s Endangered Species Act. At its June 19th meeting in Mammoth Lakes, the commission responded to the petition by calling for a full status review of the species, which could lead to a formal listing. The decision gives the white sturgeon full protected status while the review is underway. This will mean a pause on recreational sturgeon fishing—popular in the Bay and Delta—and more careful operation of water pumping stations in the south Delta. … ” Read more from Maven’s Notebook.
Water reuse in the U.S.: a comprehensive look at progress, challenges, and future prospects
“Water reuse stands at the intersection of technology, policy, and public trust. The journey from basic agricultural reuse to advanced potable applications highlights the adaptability and potential of this approach. Water scarcity and quality issues have increasingly pushed the boundaries of traditional water management practices. Among the innovative solutions gaining traction is water reuse, a concept that has evolved from agricultural and industrial applications to potable water supply. To explore the evolution, policy advancements, technological readiness, and future trends in water reuse in the United States, Smart Water Magazine spoke with three leading experts: Ben Glickstein, Director of Communications at WaterReuse Association; Eva Steinle-Darling, PhD, Water Reuse Technical Practice Director at Carollo Engineers; and Peter Grevatt, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of The Water Research Foundation. … ” Read more from Smart Water Magazine.
Permanent water restrictions headed to California
“California will implement permanent water restrictions for the first time in history to reduce statewide water use and minimize severe water reductions during droughts. Retail water suppliers, not individual households or businesses, will be mandated to reduce water use by around 30% over the next 15 years, with non-compliant suppliers facing $10,000 daily fines. The policy is called Making Conservation a California Way of Life and was approved by the state Water Resources Control Board. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.
“Replenishing Groundwater in the San Joaquin Valley” PPIC report key takeaways
This month, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) released a report on groundwater recharge — the process of replenishing underground aquifers with surface water — in the San Joaquin Valley in 2023. The report offers a rare viewpoint, allowing us to see just how far we’ve come along the slow march to water balance in California. The numbers in the report validate how our state’s water managers, farmers, academics, community advocates, conservationists, scientists and legislators have moved the needle on recharge in the past six years. … ” Read more from Sustainable Conservation.
SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT: “Prototyping Structured Decision Making for Water Resource Management in the San Francisco Bay-Delta
At the June meeting of the Delta Stewardship Council, Deputy Executive Officer for Science Henry DeBey filled in for Delta Lead Scientist Dr. Lisamarie Windham-Myers. This month’s spotlighted article, “Prototyping Structured Decision Making for Water Resource Management in the San Francisco Bay-Delta,” was published in the Environmental Science and Policy journal and authored by USGS scientist Dr. Jim Peterson and others. The article highlights structured decision-making, an approach that’s increasingly being used in the Delta. Structured decision-making, or SDM, is a framework for making informed and transparent choices in complex decision situations. SDM can help to break down management decisions and actions into digestible components, bring different points of view together, and foster collaboration and transparency. It can also incorporate models and data and help bridge the scientist-manager gap. … ” Continue reading at Maven’s Notebook.
Vallejo warns California Forever could be ‘detrimental’ to city’s economic development
“Vallejo city officials warned in a draft letter to the county Board of Supervisors that a billionaire-backed proposal to build a new city in eastern Solano County could interfere with the city’s ability to recruit city staff, slow down economic development, and have an adverse impact on residents’ property values. At the Vallejo City Council meeting on Tuesday, Assistant City Manager Gillian Haen, who is serving in City Manager Andrew Murray’s position while he is on vacation, said that she had worked with city department heads to develop an overview of potential impacts to the city from the proposed development. “California Forever may have large impacts if they’re planning on using any city infrastructure or using any city water,” Haen said. “They’re proposing potentially 400,000 residents and 15,000 jobs that could cannibalize jobs that would otherwise be captured here in the city of Vallejo. We’re looking at redeveloping Mare Island, the waterfront and the downtown in particular and this impact to those areas could be very detrimental to our city’s economic development, growth and revenues for our future.” … ” Read more from the Vallejo Sun.
Bay Area group says California Forever’s new city could help Solano County grow jobs, housing
“The Bay Area Council has advocated for infill housing development for decades, arguing that building homes in population centers next to jobs and transit is far preferable to the freeway-clogging greenfield projects built on raw land in exurbs like Mountain House or Tracy. But, in an unexpected new report, the powerful business-backed institute suggests that California Forever’s proposal to build a major city on 17,500 acres of ranchland in eastern Solano County may be big and bold enough to actually do what other “greenfield” communities like Mountain House in San Joaquin County have promised but failed to do: Create an integrated community with a diversified economy and affordable housing. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Climate bond, who? What you need to know about the $10 billion cash request on your ballot
“Coming to your California ballot this November is a question from the state’s governor and lawmakers: Will you, dear voter, approve $10 billion in state borrowing to help pay for climate and environmental programs? The bond, or Proposition 4, was approved for the ballot by lawmakers July 3rd and is supported by dozens of environmental advocates, labor unions, renewable energy companies and others. Its main opponent is the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, a longstanding anti-tax group. It’s also called the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. To keep things simple, here’s a refresher on how bonds work and a rundown on what this loan would, and wouldn’t, pay for. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee. | Read via AOL News.
A furious start to California’s fire season
“So far this year, 3,543 wildfires have broken out in California. While that’s a big number, it’s in line with recent experience: In the previous five years, an average of 3,659 wildfires had erupted by July 10. What’s unusual and worrisome this year is the size of the blazes. As of Wednesday, more than 207,000 acres have burned across the state, compared with the five-year average of 38,000 acres, according to Cal Fire. “We’re already experiencing a disproportionately high number of acres burned,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a news conference yesterday. “We’re seeing, unsurprisingly, predictably, because of the rains — those late rains in particular — a lot of grasses turning into brush fires.” … ” Read more from the New York Times.
NASA data shows how drought changes wildfire recovery in the west
“A new study using NASA satellite data reveals how drought affects the recovery of western ecosystems from fire, a result that could provide meaningful information for conservation efforts. The West has been witnessing a trend of increasing number and intensity of wildland fires. Historically a natural part of the region’s ecology, fires have been exacerbated by climate change—including more frequent and intense droughts—and past efforts to suppress fires, which can lead to the accumulation of combustible material like fallen branches and leaves. But quantifying how fire and drought jointly affect ecosystems has proven difficult. In the new study, researchers analyzed over 1,500 fires from 2014 to 2020 across the West, and also gathered data on drought conditions dating back to 1984. They found that droughts make it harder for grasslands and shrublands, such as those in Nevada and Utah, to recover after fires—even the less severe blazes. Forests, if not burned too badly, rebound better than grasslands and shrublands because some forest roots can tap into water deeper in the ground. The team reported its findings in the February 2024 issue of Nature Ecology & Environment. … ” Read more from NASA.
In commentary today …
Logging can protect forests, increase water supplies
Edward Ring, Director, Water and Energy Policy at the California Policy Center, writes, “Practical solutions to California’s energy and water shortages will always have a better chance of being implemented if they adhere to the limitations placed upon them by those concerned about climate change. A solution that should work for everyone is forest thinning. It will save our forests, with the added benefit of increasing our water supply. Wildfires have become catastrophic because the California Legislature funds fire suppression at the same time as it has regulated timber harvesting nearly out of existence. We are very good at squelching wildfires before they get started. But if ignited, our overgrown forests can now fuel infernos that were once unfathomable. California’s forests today have tree densities that are many times what is historically normal, and conditions are more dangerous because we’ve reduced our annual timber harvest from 6 billion board feet per year in the 1990s to around 1.5 billion board feet today. … ” Continue reading from Ag Alert.
California’s water economy: Challenges and opportunities
Edward Ring, Director, Water and Energy Policy at the California Policy Center, writes, “If energy powers civilization, water gives it life. One of the biggest challenges of our time is to develop the means to deliver both of these essentials in abundance, while also keeping them affordable and ecologically sustainable. … According to data compiled by the California Department of Water Resources, over the 10-year period from 2011 through 2020, on average California receives about 200 million acre-feet (MAF) of rain each year. The potential for multi-year droughts along with occasional very wet years necessitates a robust system of water storage and distribution. Before discussing what we should add to this system, and how to prioritize the maintenance and upgrades of what we’ve already got, it’s necessary to know how we currently use water in the state. … ” Read more the California Policy Center.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Honoring tribal co-stewardship: Growing investments in Klamath River Basin
“In the summer of 2023, Agriculture Undersecretary Homer Wilkes and Forest Service Chief Randy Moore met with local tribes to hear firsthand about the health of the Klamath River Basin. In response to those in-person conversations and tour of critical sites in the basin, Wilkes committed $25 million to risk-reduction projects. This investment is part of the basin-wide funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to multiple agencies. The Klamath River Basin originates on a volcanic plateau in southwestern Oregon, flowing 263 miles through the Cascade Mountains into California. It passes through the Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. The basin is named for the Chinook word Tlamatl, meaning “swiftness.” The Klamath River Basin watershed encompasses 12,000 square miles that are the ancestral lands of the Klamath, Karuk, Yurok, and Hoopa Valley tribes. … ” Read more from the USDA Forest Service.
Fire danger level to increase to extreme in Klamath, Lake counties
“The fire danger level will increase from high to extreme on Thursday at 12:01 a.m., according to the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership. This means new restrictions are going into effect. According to the release, they are changing it to extreme due to dried forest fuels. “With the progression of summer conditions and continued drying of forest fuels, local fire danger levels have reached EXTREME,” the release said. “Fires starting in these conditions have the potential for rapid fire spread and significant damage.” … ” Read more from Channel 12.
From the field to the laboratory: Scientists explore impacts of parasites and disease on endangered Klamath Basin suckers
“In Upper Klamath Lake, low survival of juvenile endangered Lost River and Shortnose Suckers is resulting in fewer and fewer fish reaching reproductive age. This is putting these fish populations at risk of extinction. The survival challenge faced by juvenile suckers has been attributed to a combination of stressors, likely including water quality, habitat suitability, and disease. However, pinpointing the exact causes and developing effective management strategies to address them has been challenging. Parasitic disease has been implicated as a potential contributor to poor survival of juvenile Lost River and Shortnose Suckers in Upper Klamath Lake. Fish health monitoring efforts in Upper Klamath Lake have revealed a high prevalence of warmwater pathogens, including two types of parasitic worms that affect suckers: nematodes that infect the heart and trematodes (eye flukes) that infect the eye. … ” Read more from the USGS.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Lake Tahoe Restoration Act extended for 10 years
“Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s (D-Nev.) legislation to extend the authorization of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act for 10 years passed the Senate on Wednesday. Cortez Masto’s legislation is cosponsored by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) and it would allow federal funds to continue maintaining the environment, supporting local jobs, and strengthening the tourism economy around Lake Tahoe. The legislation now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives. “Sustainability programs in Tahoe must be able to keep up their operations so we can continue to keep the lake clean and support our local communities – not just today, but for future generations. That was the vision previous Senate leaders had for Lake Tahoe, and it is what I’ve been fighting for,” said Cortez Masto. “Passing the reauthorization of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act through the Senate is a huge step forward, and I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this vital bill into law as soon as possible.” … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
Select bottom barriers to be removed from Taylor Creek/Marsh
“Contractors will begin removing some bottom barriers at the mouth of Taylor Creek and the adjacent marsh this week. These bottom barriers were installed in 2022 as part of a collaborative effort to remove invasive plants from approximately 17 acres of wetlands in Taylor and Tallac creeks and marshes in preparation for the larger Taylor/Tallac Restoration Project. Left unchecked, aquatic invasive plants can have devastating effects on Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem and recreational resources. This area provides critical habitat for a diverse array of native species, and the presence of Eurasian Water Milfoil, an aquatic invasive plant, threatens the health of the wetland. The bottom barriers starve the invasive plants of sunlight, killing them before they can spread into Lake Tahoe. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Commentary: Without a water delivery system, Sacramento’s unhoused face a dangerous summer
Opinion writer LeBron Hill writes, “Just as one of the worst heat waves in recorded history was beginning, Sacramento County decided to stop delivering water to homeless encampments. A source of federal funds had run dry. Keeping the homeless alive simply wasn’t a county priority. That is an unfair hand to deal to the unhoused Sacramentans who had been relying on this water supply to survive. Water for any human being is not an option. It is a requirement to exist. This is a black eye to county supervisors who say they do a good job managing homelessness and don’t get credit for it. And now that the county has failed to meet this most basic of needs, the city should be prepared to step in and do the county’s job for them. Neither thirst nor the sun are going away. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee. | Read via Yahoo News.
BAY AREA
Marin City area flood board mulls stormwater survey
“High capacity inlets, more bypasses, and upgraded pipes are among the solutions proposed to reduce persistent flooding in Marin City. County staff presented the results of an in-person and online survey conducted throughout June at a Marin County Flood Control District 3 meeting on Tuesday. Over 20 projects were presented to more than 200 respondents and given report-card style scoring. “I think this all looks really promising,” vice chair Kevin Conger said. The stormwater project aims to help to address an ongoing problem in Marin City, which has experienced notorious flooding for decades. Judd Goodman, a senior engineer with the county and the project manager, said the final product will be a hybridization of the proposed projects. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
Poop and pee cause algae blooms in S.F. Bay. Water agencies may spend $11 billion to fix the problem
“Bay Area cities and counties will soon have to make major upgrades to their aging wastewater facilities to comply with new regulations that aim to protect the San Francisco Bay from harmful algal blooms. The upgrades are estimated to cost $11 billion across the region — an average increase for ratepayers of $200 per year per household. The new regulations are expected to be finalized at Wednesday’s meeting of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. They’re part of a regional permit that is updated every five years. The need for the upgrades became clear, regulators say, after major algal blooms in the bay over the past two summers turned the water rust red and killed tens of thousands of fish. Nutrients found in wastewater — especially nitrogen which comes from human urine and other types of waste — are major contributors to algal blooms. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Warning issued over harmful algae blooms in East Bay waterway after illnesses reported
“The discovery of algae blooms in Discovery Bay has prompted warnings for boaters and swimmers to stay out of the waterway carved out of the Delta in eastern Contra Costa County. On Tuesday, the California State Water Resources Control Board issued a danger advisory — its highest alert level — after water samples in the bay were found to contain harmful algal blooms. The advisory states that there is an elevated risk from contact with the water and the scum the algae creates. People should stay out of the water until further notice, including those in watercraft. Children should avoid scum that forms on the shoreline, and pets should be kept out of the water and not be allowed to drink it. No fish or shellfish caught in the bay should be eaten. Even boiling the water will not make it safe for drinking, the advisory states. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
CENTRAL COAST
California lake closed amid die-off of hundreds of thousands of fish
“A massive fish die-off has closed a popular lake and recreation area in Monterey County amid speculation by state officials that warming water caused the kill. Lake San Antonio, a county park in southern Monterey County, was closed Tuesday as crews deal with the removal of up to hundreds of thousands of freshwater fish of multiple species that have washed up against the shoreline. Among the species in the die-off are trout, carp, crappie and bass, including one 4-pound trophy bass. The water is being tested in an attempt to determine the cause. A preliminary indication is oxygen depletion due to warm water, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
SEE ALSO: Fish die off spreads to larger species, Monterey County Parks closes facility, from the Monterey Herald
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Springville residents irate over continued water outages, company blames residents
“More than a year after floods caused water outages in the small town of Springville in the Tulare County foothills, residents are still struggling with water loss and contamination. Residents are furious with Del Oro Water Company, the private, for-profit company that serves the town, and blame it for the ongoing problems. But staff at Del Oro refute the accusations, blaming residents for overwatering. Since mid-June, residents in the small, upscale Tulare County town have been turning on taps in their homes only to find no running water. The water outages come and go along with warnings from Del Oro not to drink the water because of contamination. So far, residents say they haven’t been helped by anyone and temperatures are soaring. … ” Read more from KVPR.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Metropolitan invests in future development of local water supplies
“The potential future production of more local water supplies received a $3 million boost this week from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Metropolitan’s Board of Directors Tuesday (July 9) gave final approval to fund eight planning studies and pilot tests aimed at reducing the technical and regulatory barriers to advance future recycled water, stormwater, seawater desalination and groundwater capture projects under Metropolitan’s Future Supply Actions Funding Program. The projects are being led by Metropolitan member agencies: Western Municipal Water District, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, city of Long Beach, San Diego County Water Authority, Foothill Municipal Water District, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. … ” Read more from the Metropolitan Water District.
LA City Council committee seeks study of possible ban on artificial turf
“When a Los Angeles City Council committee approved a motion calling for a feasibility study into a potential ban on artificial grass in L.A., Kelly Shannon McNeil, associate director of the nonprofit Los Angeles Waterkeeper, saw the move as an “incredibly positive step.” The city council’s Energy and Environment Committee voted on June 28 to approve a study in order to understand the health impacts of artificial turf — a product that is widely used by schools, homeowners and many others, but which can contain synthetic chemicals known as polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. McNeil has spent years advocating for environmental and water resource causes, and she said the issue of PFAS and other “forever chemicals” is especially important to her as a mother of a two-year-old. “We’re looking at all of the different ways we can limit exposure to PFAS in our communities and banning artificial turf would be an immediate opportunity to do so,” McNeil said. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
L.A. County battery recycler on the verge of becoming California’s next Superfund site
“A battery recycling plant in southeast Los Angeles County is one step closer to becoming a Superfund site after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined it contains enough hazardous waste to qualify and California officials welcomed federal assistance. For nearly a century, the former Exide Technologies plant in Vernon melted down lead-acid car batteries, leaving as many as 10,000 properties coated in brain-damaging lead dust, according to state environmental regulators. Since the facility declared bankruptcy, California has dedicated $750 million and overseen the cleanup of more than 5,000 lead-contaminated properties surrounding the Exide site. But, over the last two years, a coalition of federal and state lawmakers, including U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and the late Dianne Feinstein, have called for a Superfund designation in hopes that it might bring in federal funding that could help expedite the cleanup or potentially expand its scope. … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via AOL News.
High PFAS levels detected in Lake Arrowhead’s raw water
“Lake Arrowhead Community Services District (LACSD) has detected levels of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) above the response level of 10 nanograms per liter (parts per trillion) in the Arrowhead Woods service territory. “Our water system recently confirmed detections of PFOA above the public health-based response level of 10 nanograms per liter (ng/L), also referred to as ‘parts per trillion,’” reported LACSD in a notice sent to residents last week. Scientific studies indicate that exposure to PFOA can lead to significant health effects such as cancer, immune system issues, liver and thyroid problems, and harm to a developing fetus or infant. “As our customers, you have a right to know about the situation, and what we are doing to correct it. We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants.” … ” Read more from the Mountain News.
SAN DIEGO
CropSWAP − creating a more sustainable ag community
“Valley Center Municipal Water District (“VCMWD” or “District”) has a long history of initiating and participating in various programs to assist and sustain agriculture in its services area. District efforts have been coordinated with funding from the San Diego County Water Authority under its water use efficiency programs through the 1990s, 2000s, and through to today. VCMWD was also instrumental in helping to secure a $1.5 million Regional Conservation Participation Program Grant to fund water efficiency evaluations and access to on-farm improvement funding for our local growers through the Natural Resources Conservation Service. … ” Read more from the Valley Roadrunner.
Along the Colorado River …
California farmers set to cut use of Colorado River water, temporarily leaving fields dry
“Farmers who grow hay in the Imperial Valley will soon be eligible to receive cash payments in exchange for temporarily shutting off water to their fields for up to two months this year. Under a program approved by the board of the Imperial Irrigation District, farmers can now apply for federal funds to compensate them for harvesting less hay as part of an effort to ease strains on the Colorado River. Paying growers to leave fields dry and fallow for part of the year represents a major new step by the district to help boost the levels of the river’s reservoirs, which have been depleted by chronic overuse, years of drought and higher temperatures caused by climate change. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Mountain West experts aid federal effort to improve drought monitoring, forecasts
“The federal government is spending nearly $5 million to improve drought monitoring and forecasts in the West to help states, communities and farmers better plan and prepare for droughts. The funding will support seven research projects focused on bettering drought predictions. More than half of the money ($3.1 million) comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Integrated Drought Information System program. The remaining $1.8 million comes from the Inflation Reduction Act. … ” Read more from KUNR.
Study finds a large amount of polluted water in Utah recreational swimming areas
“A Captain Experiences study said that Utah has only assessed 69.9% of its recreational-use rivers, creeks, and streams for recreational suitability. Captain Experiences is a fishing and hunting guide reservation company. Of that percentage, 58.3% of them were found to be too polluted to swim in. According to the report, 1,126 miles of rivers were assessed, 484 miles of Utah recreational-use waters were left unexamined. The report also found Utah has only assessed 21.4% of its recreational-use lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Of that portion, 35.8% are too polluted to swim in. … ” Read more from KSL.
Lake Powell water released after Colorado River temperatures rise
“Arizona water officials are releasing cold water from Lake Powell to lower water temperatures in the Colorado River and protect the threatened humpback chub fish from an invasive species. Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the two largest reservoirs in the nation, reached concerningly low water levels in the summer of 2022 after years of drought and excessive water usage. Two abnormally wet winters have helped supplement the reservoirs. As of Wednesday, Lake Powell water levels were at 3,587 feet, nearly 50 feet higher than in 2022. Lake Mead was at 1,062 feet, 20 feet higher than in 2022. However, warmer temperatures and falling water levels have contributed to higher water temperatures in Lake Powell and the Colorado River. The river’s higher water temperatures have disrupted some of the fish and wildlife in the area. … ” Read more from Newsweek.
In national water news today …
EPA invests $20 million in water workforce training and career development as part of America Agenda
“Today, July 11, as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing over $20 million to 13 workforce development organizations across the nation under its Innovative Water Workforce Development Grant Program, which supports expanding career opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector. This announcement comes as White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden and Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su travel to Philadelphia today to host the inaugural convening of the city’s Investing in America Workforce Hub. The Philadelphia Workforce Hub will support the workforce needed to deliver on the city’s water and transportation projects spurred by the President’s Investing in America agenda. … ” Read more from the EPA.
These Biden rules could be trashed by Trump
“The Biden administration pushed out a flurry of major environmental rules early this year under a looming threat of rollbacks if former President Donald Trump clinches the White House in November’s election. But some significant rules won’t get out the door in time to shield them from being reversed if Trump wins, a reality that was on stark display last week when the Biden administration released its plans for upcoming regulations. Some priority rules started by the Biden administration — including climate standards for existing gas-fired power plants, a rule to limit lead and copper in drinking water, and an effort to protect workers from extreme heat — could be doomed. … ” Read more from E&E News.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE: Bulletin 74: Progress on the California Well Standards Update
